THE ROOMMATE 2024

Director’s Note For anyone interested in the theatre “process,” how all the small pieces of a play come together into a production, a chance to work with actors like Meg and Elaine is a gift—a challenge to learn, grow, and cherish. Adding the professional expertise, careful eye, and sense of humor of Mary Holland, our stage manager, made this process less work and more fun for all of us.

This project was a joyful collaboration exploring characters, labels, self-sufficiency, and shared responsibilities.

All of us, at junctures in our lives, find ourselves out of synch with the person we thought we were. We are no longer who we were, but we are not sure who we are becoming or what direction we’ll take. How we define ourselves is a recipe made of part personal past, part peer perception, part guilt, and part hope. This play follows two middle-aged women--new roommates--as they face shifting realizations of themselves.

Near the end of the play, Sharon says that “people find words for themselves but those words are not always right and I think I don’t have the right words anymore.” We hope that as you watch Sharon and Robyn examine themselves and try on new identities, you will hear echoes of your own self-exploration and discovery and find the right words to guide your journey.

-Aleta Thompson, Director

THE ROOMMATE

By JEN SILVERMAN SEASON SPONSOR ALICE & ALFRED WILLIS

SHOW SPONSOR ALETA THOMPSON & LINDA WOLF

CAST Sharon……………………………………....…….. Meg Kelly* Robyn………………………………………..…… Elaine Faye*

*Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association a professional union for actors and stage managers

Time: Summer 2017 Place: An old house in Iowa City.

Scene Synopsis Scene 1: Afternoon Scene 2: Morning, the next day Scene 3: Night, a week later Scene 4: Morning, the next day Scene 5: Later that morning Scene 6: Evening Scene 7: Morning Scene 8: Two weeks later Scene 9: Evening, one week later Scene 10: Late morning Scene 11: Morning, a week later The play will be performed without an intermission.

CREATIVE TEAM Director………………………………..……………………….……….. Aleta Thompson Stage Manager………………………………...……………………...…….. Mary Holland Costume Coordinator…………………………………………………. Christopher Decker Light Designer/Operator.…………….………..…..………..…………….. Brendan Smith Sound Designer……………………………………...……………………... Justin Witters Properties………………………………………………………...……… Aleta Thompson

CAST ELAINE FAYE was last seen at Clear Space in THREE TALL WOMEN and has performed at many theaters across the country. Other favorites include Clear Space Theatre's ‘NIGHT MOTHER, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, DEATHTRAP, THE ODD COUPLE, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, BLITHE SPIRIT, and THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE; NYC–THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA, ORPHEUS DESCENDING, and GYPSY (national tour); DC–Kennedy Center Youth Theater's EAST OF THE SUN and ALICE IN WONDERLAND, directed by Pat Carroll; and Signature Theater's UNIDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS (Helen Hayes Award nominee). Elaine lives in Rehoboth Beach with her husband, Ed. MEG KELLY is delighted to return to Clear Space after appearing as Polly in OTHER DESERT CITIES, the Stage Manager in OUR TOWN, A in THREE TALL WOMEN, Shioban in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT…, and Nancy Blake in THE WOMEN. She has worked professionally for more than 40 years as a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Some favorite roles have been: Marty in CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, Ruth in BLITHE SPIRIT and Martha in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Meg also toured schools, museums, libraries, and government organizations with one-woman plays based on the lives of historic women. Meg spent 11 years as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at Towson University. Originally from Wilmington, she now lives in Ocean View.

CREATIVE TEAM ALETA THOMPSON (Director) has been active in Clear Space Theatre Company since its inception, as a board member, instructor, director, actor, stage manager, and properties mistress. She has performed for CSTC in TINTYPES, OUR TOWN, EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN, SIX ROOMS, THE ODD COUPLE, LOVE LOSS AND WHAT I WORE, THE LARIMIE PROJECT, and SISTER ACT, among others. She also has been known to surreptitiously sing backstage when she should have been working. A retired high school English and theatre teacher, she works for the University of Delaware’s School Success Center writing middle school curriculum.

MARY HOLLAND (Stage Manager) left her early career as a stage manager in regional theatre to take up film producing.

Over the next 40+ years, she produced features, documentaries, shorts, and television commercials. She was delighted to be called in to stage manage THE ROOMMATE because she thinks Clear Space is a true treasure. Her credits include drinking two bottles of scotch to provide the props for this show.

THE ROOMMATE is produced through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Concord Theatricals.

Phone: (866) 979-0447 www.concordtheatricals.com

Wishing the best to Clear Space for another successful season!

Rick Tedrick, Shawn Wright, and Hunter

First Recipient: Karen Richards

Clear Space Theatre Company Clear Space Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 cultural organization founded in 2004, is committed to teaching, producing and presenting the performing arts. The term “clear space” refers to a focus on the process, knowledge, and humanity of arts performance: the idea that we find ourselves in what appears on the stage. Our Vision is to be a leader in the vibrant performing arts community of southern Delaware. Our Mission is to inspire audiences, artists, and students through high quality performance and educational experiences.

Clear Space Theatre Company Staff David Button, Artistic Director Joe Gfaller, Managing Director Lara Bellistri, Box Office Manager Sydney Gray, Company Manager Laura Russum, Digital Marketing Manager Jadine Pilotti, House Manager & Development Coordinator Board Of Directors Megan Nehrbas, Chair Joe Sterner, Vice Chair Laura Howard, Secretary Alfred Willis, Treasurer Jay Allen Richard J. Perry, Jr. Jess Bain Ida Rowe James Berry Lisa Schlosser John Cullen Mindi Moore Tunnell Mike Moreland The Producers Circle is an advisory committee of community leaders committed to ensuring a sustainable, year-round theatre company that also provides arts education for individuals of all ages and community outreach.

Producers Circle Liz Leshine Alice and Alfred Willis Jeffrey and Ida Rowe Mary Jo Tarallo Peter Keeble Carl Schloegel Peter Pizzolongo Judy Rayner Linda Wolf Joanne McGregor Jay Allen Joelle Genevish Mary Kay Ryan, Founder Clear Space Theatre 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 302.227.2270 www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org This organization is supported in part by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.